Traffic controlling system for railroads



April 20, 1937. G w o 2,077,607

TRAFFIC CONTROLLING SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS Filed Jan. 26, 1932 ENTOR BY 91% WW Patented Apr. 20, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT FEE TRAFFIC CONTROLLING SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS Application January 26, 1932, Serial No. 588,891

13 Claims.

This invention relates to trafiiccontrolling systems for railroads, and more particularly pertains to the remote control of power operated trac switches in interlocking systems. 7

r, The present invention proposes to provide a remote control type system for governing the operation of railroad track switches, which system has the characteristic features of a polarized control circuit insofar as cross protection is con-- 10 cerned, but has the advantages of a direct control neutral circuit insofar as the required correspondence between the control lever and the operating contactors is concerned.

More specifically, as one embodiment of the invention, a polar relay is located at each track switch for governing the application of power to the respective switch machines. Each polar relay is controlled over a polarized circuit by its corresponding control lever in a central tower. The

30 governing of the switch machine by the control relay is effected in such a manner that the relay must be in correspondence with its lever before the switch machine will respond to a new operation. Thus, the advantages of both repeated and direct control are combined, for the repeated control reduces the amount of power which must be transmitted over each set of control wires, while the feature of correspondence eliminates any trouble which might result in the failure in reno spo-nse or the accidental operation of the contacts or" the polar control relay.

The present invention in part resides in the novel manner in which the above mentioned features are accomplished over a minimum number 37, of line wires with the use of a battery located in the tower and connected to the outlying track switches by the use of suitable power buses.

Various other features, advantages and characteristic functions of the present invention will be 40 in part obvious from the accompanying drawing, and in part pointed out, as the description of the invention progresses.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be in ade to the accompanying drawing which 4., illustrates in simplified and diagrammatic manner the circuits and parts of a switch machine control system embodying the present invention as applied to a single railway track switch.

With reference to the accompanying drawing,

so a railroad track switch TS is illustrated as being operated by a switch machine SM, wl nch switch machine may be of any suitable type such as disclosed for example in the patent to W. K. Howe,

No. 1,466,903, dated September 4, 1923.

This switch machine SM preferably has associated therewith a suitable point detector contact mechanism, such as shown for example in the patent to C. S. Bushnell, No. 1,517,236, dated November 25, 1924. For the purpose of describing the present invention, this point detector contact mechanism PD has been illustrated as including only the movable contacts 5 and 6 which are jointly operated by the track switch TS and the switch machine SM, so as to assume normal or reverse positions when the track switch is in normal or reverse positions respectively and locked by the switch machine, and so as to assume intermediate or mid-stroke positions whenever the track switch is being operated by the switch machine or whenever it is unlocked.

However, in some cases it may be found unnecessary to employ the usual point detector contact mechanism, and in such cases these movable contacts 5 and 6 are directly operated by the switch machine mechanism in some suitable manner, so as to assume normal or reverse positions upon the completion of the corresponding operations by the switch machine, and so as to assume intermediate or mid-stroke positions whenever the switch machine is in operation.

In either case, themovable contact 5 makes contact between its respective pair of fixed contacts when in normal or mid-stroke positions; and similarly,'the movable contact 6 makes contact between its respective pair of fixed contacts when in reverse or mid-stroke positions.

Associated with the switch machine SM is a control relay CR of the two position polarized type, that is, its contacts are operated to opposite positions by the application of potentials of opposite polarities, and are held in their last operated positions by some suitable means such as a magnetic stick type structure or a suitable toggle de vice. One relay providing these characteristics has been disclosed for example in the pending application of J. F. Merlrel, Ser. No. 536,917, filed May 12, 1931.

1 Associated with the control relay CR and point detector contacts PD are normal and reverse contactors N and R, which are governed in accordance with the correspondence between the point detector contacts PD, the control relay CR and a switch machine control lever SML in the tower so as to energize the switch machine motor for operating the track switch TS to normal or reverse positions. These contactors N and R are of the usual neutral type preferably having suitable blow-out means associated therewith for the breaking of heavy currents in the event of overloads and the like. Such a contactor has been disclosed for example in the pending application of J. F. Merkel, Ser. No. 552,906, filed July 24, 1931.

The switch machine motor is of the usual type 5 having an armature A and field winding F interconnected through the switch machine driving mechanism with the track switch TS in the usual way.

Although the control relay CR, the point detector contacts PD, the contactors N and R and the motor including armature A and field winding F have been shown diagrammatically, it is to be understood that these devices are suitably disposed or located in the switch machine mech anism SM, or in any other suitable manner as may be desired to best meet the conditions of practice.

Preferably associated with the track switch TS is a detector track section having the usual track battery and track relay, as well as suitable signals for governing traffic thereover, but all of these devices and usual features of interlocking systems have been omitted for the sake of simplifying the disclosure of the present invention.

A suitable source of electrical energy is located at the tower for supplying energy to the various switches and other trafiic governing devices of the system. For this purpose a battery BT has been illustrated as supplying energy to the bus wires [0 and I2 from which energy is taken both at the tower and at the switch machine for governing the track switch TS.

In the tower a switch machine control lever SML is provided for controlling the application of energy to the polarized circuits for governing the control relay CR as well as the normal and reverse contactors N and R to accomplish the control of the track switch TS.

Although the switch machine control lever SML has been shown as a simple free lever, it is to be understood that it may be of any suitable type kno-wn in the railway signalling art, as for example, the usual control lever having mechanical interlocking connecting it with the other control levers in the system, or a free lever as shown with suitable electrical interlocking interconnecting it with the remainder of the system. Also, suitable detector locking, approach looking and other similar features of an interlocking system may be associated with the switch machine control system of the present invention, so as to provide adequate protection for the operation of trains over the track switch TS, all

of which will be well understood by those skilled in the art and need not be herein set forth in detail.

It is believed that the nature of the invention, its characteristic advantages and features can be best understood with further description being set forth from the standpoint of operation.

Operation With the system in the condition illustrated,

5 the control relay CR is normally energized with a polarity such as to operate its contacts to normal right hand positions. This normal energizing circuit is completed from the positive bus H3, through wire l3, contact Id of lever SML in 7 a normal position, line wire [5, wire l6, windings of control relay CR, wire ll, line wire l8,

contact [9 of lever SML in a normal position, wires 20 and 2i, to the negative bus wire 92.

Although the normal and reverse contactors 7 are normally deenergized with the switch machine SM at rest, the control circuits are so arranged that should the contacts of the control relay OR for one reason or another be accidentally operated to the opposite position without the corresponding operation of the control lever SMLL, the next contactor to be operated remains unaffected by reason of a shunt circuit. For example, assuming the point detector contacts to be in their present normal positions with the lever SML in a normal position, the accidental movement of the contacts of the control relay CR to reverse positions closes a shunt circuit for the reverse contactor R from the negative bus l2, through wires 2! and 20, contact iii of lever SML in a normal position, line wire it, wire 22, windings of reverse contactor R, wire 23, point detector contacts 5-2 1, wire 25, polar contact 26 of control relay CR in a left hand position, wire 27, to the negative bus !2. It is obvious that such a shunt circuit prevents the energization of the reverse contactor R, while the normal contactor N is open circuited at point detector contacts 635 and polar contact 26 of relay CR in a left hand position.

Assuming the system to be in normal condition as illustrated, and that the operator desires to operate the track switch to a reverse locked position, he operates the lever SML to a reverse dotted line position in which the polarity of the potential applied to the control relay CR is reversed. This reverse energizing circuit for the control relay CR is closed from the positive bus I9, through wire I3, contact l9 of lever SML in a reverse position, line wire 53, wire ll, windings of control relay CR, wire it, line wire i5, contact M of lever SML in a reverse position, wires 28 and 2 l, to the negative bus l2. Current flowing in this direction through the windings of the control relay causes its contact 26 to be actuated to a left hand position for closing the energizing circuit of the reverse contactor R.

The reverse contactor R is now energized by a circuit from the positive bus I0, through wire l3, contact l9 of lever SML in a dotted line position, line wire [8, wire 22, windings of reverse contactor R, wire 23, point detector contacts 5-24, wire 25, polar contact 26 of control relay CR in a left hand position, wire 21, to the negative bus l2. The current which flows in this circuit causes the contacts of the reverse contactor R to be actuated to energize positions, which in turn energizes the motor of the switch machine in a manner to cause the reverse operation of the track switch TS. This reverse energizing circuit for the switch machine motor is closed from the positive bus in, through wire 29, front contact 38 of reverse contactor R, field winding F, back contact 3| of normal contactor N, armature A, wire 32, to the negative bus l2. The current which flows in this circuit causes the switch machine SM to unlock the track switch TS and operate it to a reverse position where it is again locked.

During this reverse operation, as soon as the track switch TS is unlocked, the movable point detector contacts 5 and 6 are operated to their intermediate positions, so that the switch operation may be reversed in mid stroke by the return of the switch machine control lever SML to the normal position, which causes the control relay CR to follow thereby closing an energizing circuit for the normal contactor N after deenergizing the reverse contactor R. For example, as suming this return of the switch machine lever SML, the control relay receives current flowing in a normal direction, as above pointed out, so

that an energizing circuit is completed for the normal contactor N from the positive bus I wire l3, contact M of lever SML in a normal position, line wire I5, wire 33, windings of normal contactor N, wire 34, point detector contacts 635, wire 36, polar contact 26 of control relay GR in a right hand position, wire 21, to the negative bus l2. The current which flows in this circuit causes the actuation of Contact 3| to a picked up position. Obviously, the contactor R is deenergized with contact 26 in a right hand position. Thus, current is applied to the field winding F in a reverse direction by reason of closed front contact 3| and back contact 30, thereby causing the switch machine to operate in a normal direction to return the track switch TS to its normal locked position.

v On the other hand, assuming that the switch machine lever SML remains in its reverse position and that the track switch TS continues to be operated to its reverse locked position, then at such time that the track switchreaches its reverse locked position, the movable point detector contacts are operated to their extreme reverse positions, thereby opening the energizing circuit of the reverse contactor R at contacts 5Z4. This deenergization of the contactor R causes the deenergization of the switch machine'motor and the system has thus been returned to a condition of rest with the track switch TS in its reverse position and locked in correspondence with the control relay CR and switch machine lever SML,

With the system in its reverse condition of rest, it is desired to point out that should the contact 26 be accidentally returned to its normal position, without the corresponding actuation of the switch machine control lever. SML, the normal contactor N would not be energized but would be short circuited by reason of a circuit from the negative bus 12, through wires 21 and 28, contact Mof lever SML in a reverse position, line wire l5, wire 33, windings of normal contactor N, wire 34, point detector contacts 635, wire 36, polar contact 26 in a right hand position, wire 21, to the negative bus I2.

The operations involved in the return of the track switch TS from a reverse locked position to a normal locked position will be readily understood by analogy to the description already given and will not be pointed out in detail.

Although only the control of a single track switch TS has been illustrated, it is to be understood that in practice a large number of similar control systems would be employed all of which would be connected to the bus wires 10 and l2 at the switch locations, and the corresponding lever control units in the tower would be connected to the buses Ill and [2.

It is to be noted, that the control relay CR may be normally deenergized while the system is at rest, if desired, by the provision of a four position control lever, or by any other suitable means such as disclosed in the pending application of J. E. Stephenson, Serial No. 517,251, filed Feb. 20, 1931, but for convenience the embodiment of the present invention discloses a normally closed circuit for this control relay CR.

Having thus described a switch machine control system as one embodiment of the present invention, it is desired to be understood that this form is selected to facilitate in the disclosure of the invention rather than to limit the number i forms which it may assume; and, it is to be further understood that various modifications,

adaptations and alterations may be applied to the specific form shown to meet the requirements of practice, without in any manner departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention except as limited by the appended claims.

What I claim is:-

1. In a control system for railroad track switches, a track switch, a switch machine for op erating said track switch, normal and reverse operating circuits for said switch machine, normal and reverse contactors for respectively closing said normal and reverse operating circuits, a control relay having contacts operable to normal or reverse positions, a switch machine control lever in a tower, a source of energy in the tower, two bus wires extending from said source to the track switch for supplying energy to said operating circuits of said switch machine, two control wires extending from said lever to said control relay and connected to the relay, means including said control lever for reversably connecting said control wires to said source of energy, point detector contacts jointly operated by said track switch and said switch machine to assume normal, reverse and mid-stroke positions, means energizing said and reverse operating circuits, a control lever in a tower, two control wires and a bus wire extending from said tower to said track switch, means including said lever for controlling the polarity of potential applied to said wires, a control relay responsive to the polarity applied to said control wires, and means including said control relay for energizing said normal and reverse contactors through circuits including said bus wire and one or the other of said control wires.

3. In a control system for railroad track switches, a track switch, a switch machine for operating said track switch, normal and reverse operating circuits for said switch machine, normal and reverse contactors for respectively clos ing said normal and reverse operating circuits, a control relay having contacts operable to normal or reverse positions, a switch machine control lever in a tower, a source of energy in the tower, two bus wires extending from said source to the track switch for supp-lying energy to said operating circuits of said switch machine, two control wires extending from said lever to said control relay, meansincluding said control lever for re versably connecting said control wires to said source of energy, point detector contacts jointly operated by said track switch and said switch machine to assume normal, reverse and midstroke positions, means including said normal contactor in a circuit from one of said two bus wires through said control relay contacts in normal positions and said point detector contacts in reverse or mid-stroke positions to one of said two control wires, and means including said reerse contactor in a circuit from said one of said two bus wires through said control relay contacts in reverse positions and said point detector contacts in normal or mid-stroke positions to the other of said two control wires.

4. In a control system for railroad track switches, a track switch, a switch machine for operating said track switch, normal and reverse operating circuits for said switch machine, normal and reverse contactors for respectively closing said normal and reverse operating circuits, a control relay having contacts operable to normal or reverse positions, a switch machine control lever in a tower, a source of energy in the tower, two bus wires extending from said source to the track switch for supplying energy to said operating circuits of said switch machine, two control wires extending from said lever to said control relay, means including said control lever for reversably connecting said control wires to said source of energy, point detector contacts jointly operated by said track switch and said switch machine to assume normal, reverse and mid-stroke positions, means including one of said two bus wires and one of said two control wires for energizing said normal contactor only when said lever and said control relay are in normal positions with said point detector contacts in reverse or mid-stroke positions and means including said one of said two bus wires and the other of said two control wires for energizing said reverse contactor only when said control lever and said control relay contacts are in reverse positions with said point detector contacts in normal or mid-stroke positions.

5. In combination; a distant track switch; a switch machine for operating said track switch; a polar switch machine relay controlled over a pair of line wires connected to a source of current in a central ofiice; a lever in said oifice for polechanging said source on said pair of wires; a third wire connected to one terminal of said source extending to said switch machine; and a circuit for controlling said switch machine including said source, said third wire and one of said pair of wires and closed only if said lever and said polar relay assume corresponding positions.

6. In combination; a distant track switch; a switch machine for operating said track switch; a polar switch machine relay; a pair of line wires connected to a source of current in a central offic'e; a lever in said office for pole-changing said source on said pair of wires; means controlled over said pair of line wires for operating said switch machine relay to its polar positions; a third wire connected to one terminal of said source extending to said switch machine; and a circuit for controlling said switch machine including said source, said third wire and one of said pair of wires and closed only if said lever and said polar relay assume corresponding positions and said switch machine assumes the noncorresponding position.

7. In combination; a distant track switch; a switch machine for operating said track switch; a polar switch machine relay; a pair of line wires connected to a source of current in a central oiiice; two neutral relays which if one is energized control said switch machine to one position and if the other is energized control it to its other position; a lever in said office for polechanging said source on said pair of wires; means controlled over said pair of line wires for operating said switch machine relay to its polar positions; a third wire connected to one terminal of said source extending to said switch machine; and a circuit for controlling one of said neutral relays including said source, said third wire and one of said pair of wires and closed only if said lever and said polar relay assume corresponding positions.

8. In combination; a distant track switch; a switch machine for operating said track switch; a polar switch machine relay; a pair of line wires connected to a source of current in a central oifice; two neutral relays which if one is energized control said switch machine to one position and if the other is energized control it to its other position; a lever in said ofiice for polechainging said source on said pair of wires; means controlled over said pair of line wires for operating said switch machine relay to its polar positions; a third wire connected to one terminal of said source extending to said switch machine; and a circuit for controlling one of said neutral relays including said source, said third wire and one of said pair of wires and closed only if said lever and said polar relay assume corresponding positions and said switch machine assume the non-corresponding position.

9. In a control system for railroad track switches; a switch machine having normal and. reverse operating circuits; normal and reverse contactors for closing said normal and reverse operating circuits respectively; control contacts; a polar control relay; a polarized control circuit including two wires for connecting said control contacts and said polar control relay, whereby the operation of said control contacts to opposite positions energizes said control relay with opposite polarities; and circuit means including said control contacts, said two wires and contacts of said control relay for causing actuation of one or the other of said normal and reverse contac tors in response to said control contacts only' when said control relay is in correspondence with said control contacts.

10. In a remote control system for railway track switches; a switch machine having normal and reverse operating circuits; normal and re-' verse contactors for closing said normal and reverse operating circuits respectively; point detector contacts having normal and reverse positions; a polar control relay having contacts ca-' pable of assuming normal and reverse positions;

a control lever having normal and reverse posi-' tions; a single control circuit; means including said control lever and said single control circuit for controlling the operation of said control relay to normal and reverse positions; and energizing circuits for said normal or reverse contactors respectively connected in parallel with said line circuit and energized only when said point detector contacts are in reverse or normal positions respectively, said control relay contacts are in normal or reverse positions respectively and said control lever contacts are in normal or reverse positions respectively.

11. In a remote control system for railway track switches; a switch machine having normal and reverse operating circuits; normal and reverse contactors for closing said normal and reverse operating circuits respectively; point detector contacts having normal and reverse positions; a polar control relay having contacts capable of assuming normal and reverse positions; a control lever having normal and reverse positions; a first line wire and a second line wire; means including said control lever for controlling the operation of said control relay to normal and reverse positions over said first and second 75 line wires; circuits for said normal or reverse contactors; means for selectively connecting said circuits to said first and second line wires; and means responsive to said selective connection for energizing said circuits and said control relay in parallel whereby said normal or reverse contactors respectively are energized only when said point detector contacts are in reverse or normal positions respectively, said control relay contacts are in normal or reverse positions respectively and said control lever contacts are in normal or reverse positions respectively.

12. In combination; a distant track switch; a switch machine for operating said track switch; two neutral relays associated with said switch machine; a polar relay controlled over a pair of line wires connected to a source of current; contacts for pole changing said source on said pair of wires; a third wire connected to one terminal of said source and extending to said neutral relays; and a control circuit for each of said neutral relays each including said source, said third wire and one of said pair of wires and closed only if said contacts and said polar relay assume corresponding positions.

13. In a control system for railroads; normal and reverse relays; control contacts; a polar control relay; a polarized control circuit including two wires for connecting said control contacts and said polar control relay, whereby the operation of said control contacts to opposite positions energizes said control relay with opposite polarities; and circuit means including said control contacts, said two Wires and contacts of said control relay for causing actuation of one or the other of said normal and reverse relays in response to said control contacts only when said control relay is in correspondence with said control contacts.

GEORGE H. WION. 

